Diphtheria Returns: Remote Australia's Housing Crisis Exposed

More than 220 cases of diphtheria have been recorded in 2026, predominantly in the Northern Territory and northern Australia. The overwhelming majority of those affected are Aboriginal people living in remote and very remote communities. This outbreak, affecting a once-eradicated disease, underscores the persistent gap in essential services, with overcrowded housing and poverty facilitating the rapid spread of infectious diseases.

Conditions such as inadequate housing, limited access to transport and healthcare, food insecurity, and poor environmental health create an environment where diseases of poverty can persist. Despite significant gains in life expectancy and health outcomes over the past two decades, driven by Aboriginal community-controlled health services, these organizations are facing immense pressure from workforce shortages.

While the government's emergency support package, including additional vaccines and surge workforce, is a welcome response, it is not a long-term solution. A well-resourced Aboriginal community-controlled health sector is a critical component of Australia's public health infrastructure. Governments must move beyond emergency responses to invest proactively in prevention, workforce development, and living conditions that ensure community safety and health.